Combined fire-escape and bed-bottom



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. R. LADD y Combined Fire Escape andBed Bottm. No. 242,780. Patented June 14,1881.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. R. LADD. Y

Combined Fire Escape rand Bed Bottom. No. 242,780.

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'UNITED STATES ,PATENT i OFFICE.

HENRY R. LADD, OF ORWELL, OHIO.

YCOMBINED FIRE-ESCAPE AND BED-BOTTOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,780, dated June 14, 1881.

Application tiled May 7, 1 881. (No model.)

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY R. LADD, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Orwell, in the count)T of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Spring Bed Bottom and Fire- Escape; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to that class of spring-bed bottoms which are composed ofparallel sections or frames, iiexibly connected together so as to be readily converted into a tireescape ladder, and having the springs which support the bedding adapted to serve as fenders to hold theladderfrom the wall of a build- 1ng. t

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of the frames which comprise the bed-bottom and escape-ladder, and to connect the same in such a manner that they can be easily and conveniently folded alongside of each other when used as a bed-bottom, and caused to assume astraight position in relation to each other when thrown out of a window, so as to forma regular ladder, having the adjoining ends of the various sect-ions close together.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying` drawings, Figure l is a plan or top View, showing the parts in position to form a bed-bottom,severalsets of sprin gsV being uncovered to exhibit the parts more clearly. Fig.' 2 is a bottom view, showing the arrangement of the cords which serve'to connect the various sections or frames. Fig. 3 is an elevation, illustrating the p arts in position to form a iieXible escape-ladder. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, showing the arrangement of a supplementary ladder-section'below a section ofthe spring-bed.

The letter A designates parallel frames or sections, consisting each of two side bars, a, and connecting slats or rounds b. Theseframes A extend across the bedstead-frame B, and when folded alongside of each other, as shown in Figs. l and 2, have the ends of the side bars seated in notches made in the side rails of the bedstead. Ihe side bars, a, and slats b constitute the frames which makeup the bed-bottom and iiexible escape-ladder.' The helical springs O,upon which thebeddingis supported, are secured to the slats b in any approved manner. The various sets of springs, or the sets `belonging to each frame or section, are covered with a strip of canvas or other textile material, D, a strip for each section, so as to maintain said springs in their proper relative positions and guard against theirbecolnin g twisted or displaced. The sections or frames comprising the bedbottom are connected 4together by means of cords, straps, or chains E and F, which are generall y continuous or made to extend throughout the entire length of the various sections, so as to avoid the use of more than two cords. `'Ihese cords are passed through suitable holes made in the side bars of the frames or zsections, or through eyes attached thereto, and they are so arranged in relation to the frames as to permit the latter to be convenient-ly folded alongside of each other for forming a bed-bottom.

The manner of disposing or arranging the cords may be described, as follows, viz: The cord E, connecting the various frames at one side thereof, is first knotted or secured to the head section of the bed-bottom or top section of the ladder, and from the-lirst point of attachment it passes along the side bar of the frame and is again attached at a short distance from the center of said frame. From this second point of attachment the cordruns beyond the second or next `adjacent section, and is attached at a point a short distance above the center ofthe side bar ofsaidl second section. The cord then runs to the bottomof said second section and` is knotted thereat, and is then passed to the third section or frame and secured to the upper end-of the same. A short link or flexible connectingportion is thus formed, by the cord E, between the second and third sections, while a longer link or connecting portion is formed between the second and first sections. The cord F is attached to the top 'of the rst section or frame in the same manner as the cord E, and runs along the side IOO lar ladder.

bar of said frame to its lower end,where it is secured. It then passes beyond said first frame and is again secured to the top of the second frame, so as to leave a short link or connecting portion between these two frames. vThe cord F runs along the second frame, and is attached at some distance above the bottom thereof, and from thence it extends to a point a suitable distance below the top of the third or :next adjacent frame, so as to form a long link or flexible portion in the cord F between the second and third frames.

It will readily be'apparent that, by connecting the various frames or sections in the manner shown, or by having short orlong links or flexible portions in the cords alternately at opposite sides of said frames, the latter can be expeditiously and conveniently folded alongside of each other so as to constitute a bedbottom. When a lire-escape or exible ladder is required in cases of -re, or otherwise, the bed-bottom is taken up and passed or thrown out of a window. The various frames or sections will then assume their proper positions or bein exact line with each other, with the springs and canvas covers toward the wall ot' the building. The cordsE F, which serve to connect the frames, will, by reason of their pecul- -iar attachment, prevent said frames from re` mainingin the wron g position, even if the cords should be twisted when the ladder is passed vout of the window. On the contrary, the cords will have a tendency to cause the frames to turn properly until they are all in the required positions, so as to form an unbroken or regu-k The top section of the ladder, or foot or other section ofthe bed-bottom, is connected with the bedstead by extending the cords E F and securing the same to the bedstead. These extensions of the cords E F or other cords attached thereto or to the ladder carry a transverse roller, G, having end disks or flanges, H. The roller or spool rests upon thewindow-sill and serves to form a space between said sill and roller to permit the introduction of the hand in passing onto the ladder.

It has already been stated that the springs of the bed-bottom serve to hold the vladder,

from the wall of the building. This feature has` alreadybeen suggested in a combined bed-bot tom and fire-escape of a known construction.

In my invention the cross-slats which form the rounds of the ladder also serve to support the springs, and, being attached to the upper surface of the side bars, these slats are so lo-` cated as to permit the person descending the ladder to move between the side 4bars of the same. In this manner greater security is attained, and, moreover, should any of the rounds or cross-bars break or slip, the springs and canvas cover attached thereto will generally obviate accidents by serving as a mcdium for preventing a too sudden or entire separation of said rounds or cross bars. The springs arranged upon the cross-bars or rounds can also be set closer together or at more regular intervals apart'th an if applied to the side bars.

The canvas covers are cut out at their ends, so as to permit the hand and foot to be introduced in making the descent on the ladder.

It may sometimes be necessary to provide a ladder longer than can be constructed of the spring-sections comprising the bed-bottom. To this end I attach one or more ladder-sections, I, to the section of the bed-bottom constituting the lowest ladder-section. Cords or iexible links are used to connect these supplementary ladder-sections, and when not in use they are stowed away under the spring-bearing section by making the notches in the bedstead rails sufficiently deep. Pins i on said supplementary sections serve to hold them away from the wall of a building.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A combined bed-bottom and fire-escape composed of parallel sections or frames, flexibly connected at their end s, and constructed of side bars, cross-strips applied to the upper side of said bars, helical springs secured to said cross-strips, and canvas covers secured to the springs and frames, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In acombined bed-bottom and nre-escape, the combination of the connecting-cords E F with the ladder and bed-bottom, sections or frames, said cords being attached to said frames to form short and long connecting-links between each adjacent pair of frames, as herein set forth.

3. rIhe combination of the roller having end flanges with the top section of the ladder, and the attachingcords leading therefrom, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In acombined bed-bottom and lire-escape, the combination of supplementary ladder-sections, provided with projecting pins, with spring bearing sections liexibly connected thereto, and a bedstead having notches for the ends of said supplementary sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY R. LADD.

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